The Mule Hollow trail climbs about 1200' in just over a mile to the old Mule Hollow mine. I could not find much information about the history of the mine, however it was surely mined in the late 1800's or very early 1900's, when mining first flourished in Big Cottonwood Canyon. One can likely assume the name comes from the mules used to pack equipment up to the mine. Currently this isn't much left of the site, with a couple of tracks and some metal pieces from the old camp strewn about a large tailings pile. Some hunting will turn up several collapsed entrances just up from the main site.

The hike is a good one, if not for the mine ruins, then for the views. The hike offers just enough length and elevation gain to make for a nice after work short jaunt. Once at the main mine site, the views to the south of Storm Mountain and the high peaks around Twin Peaks are very nice.

Getting There

Big Cottonwood Canyon is on the east side of the Salt Lake City Valley. Get there by taking I-215 to the east, taking exit 6 off the interstate and heading east.

Follow 6200 South which becomes Wasatch Blvd for 1.8 miles to the stop light and signs for Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Turn left at the light and reset your odometer.

Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon 3.0 miles, to just after crossing a bridge (and just past the Storm Mountain picnic area). The trailhead is the dirt road and small lot on the left just after crossing the bridge. There is not a trailhead sign.

Note: The canyon and trailheads can be very busy at certain times of the year. The parking are at the mouth of the canyon makes a great spot for groups to meet and carpool up.

Route

This is an easy trail to follow. From the trailhead, follow the most used trail as it heads north up Mule Hollow. Stay on the main trail in the bottom of the hollow. It is generally dry for a short distance where the stream has gone underground, but as you continue higher, the stream reappears. In very high runoff, you may get your feet wet, but in most seasons it is easy to rock hop and use many strategically placed logs to keep your feet dry.

Near the top of Mule Hollow, the trail climbs steeply up the tailings pile to the main site, a large flat area with remnants from the old camp.

Looking to the south is Stairway Gulch, Storm Mountain, and the Twin Peaks / Dromedary peaks area. This is an excellent evening hike when the sun is lighting them up. Some poking around will reveal a few caved in entrances and tailings piles, but the main site is the most interesting.